Be An Active Aussie!

HBF Run for a Reason - Perth, 2012

I really enjoyed participating in the 14km HBF Run for a Reason 2012 a few weeks ago!

8km Harry's Spring Run-Off to fight
prostate cancer - Toronto, 2011 

There are loads of awesome benefits associated with heading outdoors, getting active and enrolling in some upcoming community events. The list of positives is endless but here's a few inspiring thoughts that come to mind for me:

• The fantastic weather we've got here in sunny Australia
• The inspiring stories that motivate people to fundraise and donate
• The chance to meet and socialise with other healthy, active people
• The enthusiasm of the crowds as the count-down begins
• The noticeable Australian mate-ship at big events that encourages the crowds to pull together and support each other 
• Involvement alongside peers gives us a sense of belonging 
• Event completion leads to satisfaction and accomplishment - Aussies love getting personal bests



Bike the Drive with buddies - Chicago, 2010

• Results and healthy competition push us to reach for the stars!

About this time last year I was discussing fitness goals with friends. I remember saying how great it would be to participate in a range of 'fun runs' all around Australia. Why not do the City To Surf or City to Bay in every state? Would be a pretty cool accomplishment! I'll add it to my fitness bucket-list.

The great thing is that there will always be a range of great team events and community challenges to participate in here in Australia.

Are you getting involved in any upcoming events that I don't even know about yet? Keep me in the loop - I hope to see some of your friendly faces at awesome outdoor events in future!

I ran to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation in last year's
City to Surf - Perth, 2011

Saluting the Sun at Yoga Aid

Can you think of three great reasons to start your Sunday right? I could this morning when I went down to Saw Avenue Amphitheatre in Kings Park at 8:00am to participate in the Yoga Aid Challenge 2011.

Do Yoga. Build Community. Support Charity.

Today marked the 5th annual Yoga Aid Challenge Australia. Yoga Aid is an opportunity to connect with your local yoga community at a free 2 hour outdoor yoga class. It is a unique event and is celebrated around the world. Across Australia funds were raised for three valuable charity organisations: Nelune Foundation, Sunnyfield Independence and Barnados.

Reaching up to the sky and saluting the sun!

Although the day started out looking a little overcast and cloudy we were eventually blessed with lovely sunlight peeping out through the clouds. I'm sure the yogis and yoginis in the crowd would attest that the combination of our powers and sun salutations combined brought out the sunshine. In combination with weather conditions, barometric pressure and thermodynamics of course. But who's to say our sun salutations didn't play at least a small part... ;)

Smooth transitions in the yoga flow:
downward facing dog into chataranga

Representatives from the three West Australian lululemon athletica stores were out in force dressed to impress in groove pants and sporting 'currant' tops to share our bright and exciting new season colour. We were pleased to join a number of local West Australians in the iconic Perth landmark that is Kings Park to share our energy, passion and love for yoga.

A massive thanks to everyone who joined, all who fundraised and the excellent teachers who led the group through a mind-blowing 109 sun salutations in the 2 hours from 9:00-11:00am. Hope everyone who was there enjoyed themselves but if you missed out don't worry... I look forward to seeing you next year at Yoga Aid Challenge 2012!

LIVe in store session

Remember how I've told you it's hard to keep up with myself sometimes? Haha I suppose that's what happens when a person goes a million miles an hour. But as a close friend recently told me "Ginny going at any other speed just wouldn't be the real Ginny!" ;)

Fortunately I was able to attend a few exercise classes at my work this week. That's the beauty of working at a store that transforms into a fitness studio after hours. I attended a pilates class with Pippa Hutchinson, Director of LIVe Pilates. Pippa is an incredible teacher, highly motivated and has an awesome sense of humour. If you have a million dollar check she'll make sure you never let it go! Her classes are physically challenging but massively rewarding. You'll walk away sore the next day if you're not careful so be sure to stretch.

Read below for more info on this particular class and to learn more above LIVe Pilates check out my post from 26th September.

• DETAILS: Currently Wednesday evening, 6:00-7:00pm. Inside the lululemon athletica Perth City store. Shop H127, enex100. (*Please note: class schedule changes weekly. For details about future in-store class timetables check out the website link below.)
• COST: Complimentary! lululemon athletica Perth city offers a range of complimentary in-store classes each week. We love offering a venue where we can witness first-hand the Perth city community getting active and living long, healthy and fun lives.
• TODAY'S TEACHER: Pippa
• BRING: No sneakers or mat are required for Pilates since lululemon athletica provides mats. Makes it super easy for you to come along straight after work.
• BEST BITS: Pilates is a fantastic way to tone and activate deep core muscles. It builds strength and flexibility, what more could you ask for?!
• LULULEMON ATHLETICA PERTH CITY WEBSITE: www.lululemon.com/perth/perthcity

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Striking the balance at Qi Yoga

Following Body Pump my adrenalin was still high and the day was still young. A few weeks back my close friend Pete recommended I join him at Qi Yoga on an upcoming Monday night, so today felt like the perfect day for it.

We arrived slightly early and I had the pleasure of chatting with Fiona, the teacher and founder of Qi Yoga, prior to the class. Her dynamic energy and entrepreneurial spirit is evident immediately, both in her personality and her practice. She has developed Qi Yoga in both London and Australia and travels between the two, teaching and promoting the benefits of her training.

I thoroughly enjoyed the session which ran for just under 1.5 hours and encompassed a rigorous practice followed by a lengthy guided meditation. Found it to be a wonderful combination of body and mind, which when you read below you will understand is the actual intention of Qi Yoga.

QI YOGA is a blend of the 2 ancient healing sciences of Qi Gong and Hatha Yoga to create an enhanced practice. It harnesses your seven chakras, the energy systems of the body, through various physical postures. Tapping on the meridian lines of the body allows blood to flow freely and oxygenate all the cells. This activity, in conjunction with fluid movements and supple joints, helps to clear stagnant energy from the body. The philosophy of Qi Yoga is not affiliated with any religion or deity, it instead focuses on your own self, ancestors, soul and personal goals. It incorporates balance in the union of mind, body and soul.

• DETAILS: Monday evening, 7:00-8:15pm. Manning Hall, at the corner of Bradshaw Crescent and Jarman Avenue.
• COST: $16.00 per casual class
• TEACHER: Fiona
• BRING: Your own yoga mat. I would also recommend bringing a blanket or cozy scarf to drape over yourself for keeping warm during the guided meditation at the end of practice.
• BEST BITS: Qi Yoga was different to other yoga practices that I have attended recently, plus I had never experienced the technique of tapping the meridian lines of the body before. I really enjoyed the practice because I believe change and a challenge is always the spice of life! 
• QI YOGA: www.qiyoga.org/uk/home

Ginny's Finding Fitness Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

A rusty old ride

I recently discovered an old bike in the back of our garden shed. Covered in cobwebs and rusted almost beyond repair. Almost... but not quite ;)

Bikes have never ever been my thing, it took me years to learn to ride and after a number of accidents on both regular bikes and motorbikes on my cousin's farm I'm super cautious of anything that requires balancing on two wheels.

However, those who know me well know just how much I love a challenge. In fact I'm generally the girl who chooses the hard road (rather than than the easy one) time and time again. Mid 2007 I camped for three months through Europe in rather rustic conditions. We fit two people into a one man tent! A few years later I again travelled, solo this time, on Euroline buses and packed in as much quality sightseeing as possible on a shoestring budget. On my visit to New York a friend gave me a book filled with cheap and FREE things to do in New York City. Still remember how outrageously excited I was. Must be one of the only girls in the world who wanted to go to New York and NOT spend money... hahaha.

Reading back through this I realise I sound like a total cheap-skate. But I honestly believe there's more to it than that. I like the challenge of conquering things on a budget. I like believing when there's a will, there's a way. I like the feeling of actually earning the right to enjoy an experience. Monetarily, physically, mentally and emotionally earning it.

In a nutshell I like a challenge I guess!

The point is, when I found this rusted up old bike I was excited. I saw it as an opportunity to challenge myself. With a little help from my dad we got the brakes oiled up, scraped off a little rust and I took her for a spin. The seat's a little low and the chain clunks on and off regularly, but all in all the bike works. Will take longer to cycle to the train station than take the bus each way, but I am on a 'finding fitness' challenge after all.

So the plan is to buy myself a bike lock (hey, a girl's gotta spend SOME money!) ;) and cycle to the train station when I can. Due to my rather irrational bike riding phobia I will set the initial bike to train station goal as once a fortnight... As we push on towards the hot summer months I may feel the urge to substitute bike riding for something less sweltering. But keep posted for my cycling progress and updates. Wish me luck!

Body Combat, Challenge Stadium

I was looking for the perfect Sunday morning start to kick off my Perth 'Finding Fitness' challenge... Figured where else but 'Challenge' Stadium! ;)

Challenge Stadium is a venue I've known well for a long time. Back in the day when I was a uni student I swam laps there pretty regularly in the outdoor pool. Ahhh... the memories. Speaking of memories and my uni years, that's definitely what the Body Combat class I joined today reminded me of! I hadn't taken a Body Combat class in almost 5 years... But luckily it all came flooding back relatively quickly.

Lots of enthusiastic cries of "jab, cross, upper cut" accompanied bubbly energy and quick movements. The class was quite small, just six ladies including myself and the teacher Leanne, but this worked out fine because it gave us lots of room to move! Apparently the class is usually a little busier... but following City To Surf everyone is taking a bit of a break. I had a lot of fun and think it's definitely a good, non-intimidating option for someone who is keen to jump, kick and punch their energy out!

BODY COMBAT is a 55 minute cardio workout based on a series of martial arts moves timed to music tracks. It is one of three Les Mills group fitness classes currently offered indoors at Challenge Stadium. The martial arts program is inspired from a range of disciplines: karate, kick boxing, taekwondo, tai chi and muay thai. It is intended to increase strength and endurance through shaping and toning work.

Check below for more info on this class...

• DETAILS: Sunday morning, 10:30-11:30am
• COST: $13.00 
• TEACHER: Leanne
• BRING: Sweat towel for cool down, FULL water bottle (mine was 1/2 empty and nowhere to fill up until you leave Challenge at reception). Make sure you wear sneakers and a good quality support bra... Lots of jumping around in this class! ;)
• BEST BITS: The room has a nice window view of the sunny outside pool! Bring swimmers and make it a double whammy workout by diving in for a swim post-combat. General entry to the pools is just $5.20 and there's both indoor and outdoor pool options.
• CHALLENGE STADIUM CLASS TIMETABLE:  http://www.venueswest.wa.gov.au/2/244/2/aerobics_timetable.pm

Ginny's 'Finding Fitness' Rating: ★ ★